Few people are better placed to answer that than Conor Kenny, Director of Transatlantic Business at Clark Hill. With experience from both the US and British Embassies in Dublin, and now advising companies at a leading international law firm, Clark Hill, Conor has a unique perspective on the opportunities (and the pitfalls) of transatlantic growth.  

In this conversation with our Partner, Ger Holliday, Conor shares his take on current expansion trends, the biggest misconceptions companies face on both sides of the ocean and the key ingredients that set successful international businesses apart.

Ger Holliday: We have both seen firsthand how much work goes into making international expansion successful and how easy it can be to overlook key details early on. Whether it’s scaling too fast or underestimating local market differences, the right preparation and partners make all the difference.

In your opinion, what do you see as the key ingredients for a successful international expansion, particularly when entering large and complex markets like the US or the EU?

Conor Kenny: Elements essential for success include good market research; the support of informed, joined-up, local advisors; and an understanding of the incentives and barriers to expansion.

Companies who have been successful in internationalizing their businesses conduct substantive market research before entering a new geography. The EU and U.S. markets are both large and diverse by their very nature. Research allows companies to segment the market and focus on the most relevant regions or industry sectors. It’s challenging to enter the EU or U.S. with the aim of servicing the entire market at once. Look at California for example, it is the 4th largest economy in the world in its own right, Texas is the 9th largest, New York is the 11th, and Florida is the 19th. By initially focusing on one state and growing from there, companies entering the U.S. market can significantly, and successfully, scale their businesses.

It is critical to tap into support networks on both sides of the Atlantic. There are many agencies and organizations that support and help scaling companies. In Ireland for example, these include the U.S. Embassy, Enterprise Ireland, the IDA, the American Chamber of Commerce, and others. In the United States, support is available from the U.S. Department of Commerce through SelectUSA, local Embassies and consulates across the country, as well as state and local economic development organizations.   

In the full interview, Conor shares more insights into key ingredients that set successful international businesses apart when expanding across borders.

When Boundless Life, a Canadian company offering integrated living, coworking and education experiences for remote-working families, expanded into Spain, they needed more than just local compliance. They needed a partner who understood both the global vision and the local details.

Amesto Global stepped in to provide exactly that. With our local team in Spain and global coordination, we supported Boundless Life across accounting, payroll, HR and compliance. We streamlined their operations, built an efficient reporting structure and created a foundation designed to scale as they expand into new markets.

As the Boundless Life team shared,

“Working with Amesto Global has been a game-changer for us at Boundless Life. As a fast-growing company expanding across multiple European markets, ensuring the accuracy and speed of our financial closing processes is essential. Amesto Global brought both precision and efficiency to this critical function, enabling us to close our books faster and with confidence.”

– Jaime López, Chief Financial Officer  at Boundless Life

This partnership ensured a smooth market entry and gave Boundless Life the clarity and confidence needed to grow internationally. Learn more about our client success story here: